Avi Arad

Avi Arad (born August 1, 1948, in Givatayim, Israel) is an Israeli-American producer and studio executive best known for shaping modern comic-book entertainment across film, television, and animation. Over decades in the industry, he has helped translate superhero storytelling from the page to the screen, influencing both mainstream blockbusters and genre-focused projects.

Arad rose to prominence in the 1990s as CEO of Toy Biz, a role that positioned him at the intersection of character brands, merchandising, and media. He later served as chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment and became a founding force behind Marvel Studios, acting as its chairman and CEO during its formative years.

Following his Marvel leadership, Arad continued producing—and at times writing—numerous live-action and animated adaptations rooted in comic-book properties, reinforcing his reputation as a key architect of the modern superhero era. He is also widely recognized through documentary and special appearances, including Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home, With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story, and Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked.

He is also credited under alternate names such as Avi Arad-san, アヴィ・アラッド, and آوی آراد.